Leyton Orient assistant coach Ross Embleton insists his side can’t just sit on their unbeaten run, they need to be keep improving all the time. Orient travel to table toppers Harrogate on Saturday with both sides unbeaten so far. Speaking to leytonorient.com “the group is in a good place to keep building, let’s not settle on the good start and we’re unbeaten. We need to continue to use weeks to become better at what we do”

• Sit 3rd on 23 points
• League Record – P11  W6  D5  F19  A8
• Won six of their last eight

Orient extended their unbeaten run to 11 games after beating Barnet 3-1 last weekend. Josh Coulson put Justin Edinburgh’s men ahead before Wesley Fonguck levelled but goals from James Dayton and Macauley Bonne in the second half  saw the O’s pick up their fourth win in their last five. Goal scorer Coulson stated to leytonorient.com “we’re delighted, I think the boys did really well in the second half to come out and showed how fit and strong we are to get three points. 

Orient’s last 6 Results

The O’s had to be patient against Barnet but came strong in the second half with Dale Gorman and James Alabi giving them a boost. Embleton credited their impact but also the attitude of the whole squad this season. Speaking to leytonorient.com “Whatever motive has been from bench with the decision the gaffer makes the boys have come on and executed it. They drive each other on, the motivation has been right and Dale and James deserve huge credit for coming on and turning that game”.

• Only team in National League to score in every game
• Scored in last 12 league games and 13 of the last 14
• 14/19 goals have been scored in the second half – including 11 of the last 13
• 10 have come after the 75th minute – including 8 of the last 12

Defender Coulson has tasted promotion to the Football League with Cambridge back in 2014 and hinted that the start at Orient echoes that. Coulson has been an integral part of the defence and was pleased that his side were able to score late to pick up victory over Barnet. Speaking to guardianseries.co.uk “the character we’ve shown is brilliant and the boys are so together. It’s a great dressing room. We know we can score late goal and I think teams know that as well now but they can’t stop it”

• Kept four league clean sheets – only one away
• Only kept one in their last nine on their travels
• Only conceded two or more goals in two league matches under Edinburgh

Orient have enjoyed success on their travels under Edinburgh but assistant coach Ross Embleton that it will be as tough as it gets tomorrow. The O’s have only lost three away league games since December and they will be hoping that record stands tomorrow. Embleton spoke to East London Advertiser “Harrogate have had a fantastic start to the season. We will respect what they are about, we know they have caused real threats, but we also have threats and our first thought will be go there and get a result”

• Away League Record – P5  W2  D3  F6  A4
• Only lost one of their last ten away – W4  D5  L1
• Away Record under Edinburgh – W8  D6  L3 – conceded just 11 goals
• Scored in eight of their last nine on the road

The O’s beat three of the four promoted sides away last season and Embleton is keen for Orient to win on Saturday. Harrogate gained promotion through the play offs and the 36 year old is aware that they could be here to stay, “they have a good season last year and come up from National League North, the more of a run the put together, the more you have to start to take notice”

Orient’s next 6 fixtures

Team News

Dale Gorman and James Alabi will be pushing for starts after impressing from the bench against Barnet while Charlie Lee looks set to overcome a knock. James Brophy and Sam Ling are nearing full fitness but the game could be too soon. George Elokobi remains out.

Last Time Out – 3-1 vs Barnet

Prediction – Harrogate 2-2 Leyton Orient